Revisit the draft years that brought in the current crop of Bulldogs players, continuing with the year 2011.
CLAY SMITH
Pick 17 in a compromised draft, Clay Smith was highly-touted by the Dogs to take on a tough, inside midfield role.
The Gippsland Power junior made his AFL debut in round one 2012 against the Eagles and made an immediate impact in his debut game.
Despite suffering his third ACL injury in 2015, Smith is held in high-regard and if able to stay healthy and fit, will add a fierce dimension to the Bulldogs midfield.
JOEL HAMLING
Initially recruited by Geelong with pick number 32 in the 2011 draft, Hamling spent three years on the Cats’ list without playing an AFL match.
Joining the Club as a delisted free agent at the end of 2014, Hamling played 11 games in his first year at the Club.
He was awarded the Chris Grant Best First Year Player award at the Club’s best and fairest in 2015 – highlighting his impact.
TORY DICKSON
The mature-aged recruit was taken at pick number 57 in the 2011 draft after time with the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL.
Dickson made his AFL debut alongside Smith in round one 2012 and has played 57 games in four years.
The 28-year-old had undeniably his best season in 2015, kicking 50 goals and named the Best Team Player at the Club’s best and fairest.
FLETCHER ROBERTS
A pre-season draft selection, Roberts was recruited from Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup competition.
The versatile tall spent much of his junior career in the ruck and up forward but has since developed into a key defender – playing 12 games in 2015, the most of any year in his four-year career.
LIN JONG
Another rookie selection, Jong was taken with pick nine in the 2011 rookie draft from the Oakleigh Chargers.
He made his AFL debut in 2012 and has played 23 AFL games since.
The fearless competitor played 13 games in 2015, with one of his best performances coming in the side’s elimination final against Adelaide.
SHANE BIGGS
Biggs was originally drafted to Sydney, with pick number 13 in the 2011 rookie draft, after not playing TAC Cup but spending 2011 with the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL.
The 24-year-old joined the Bulldogs in the 2014 trade period, and played 10 games in his first year with the Club.
TOM CAMPBELL
Another rookie selection, Campbell was also recruited from the Bendigo Bombers VFL side, with selection 27 in the 2011 rookie draft.
Campbell made his AFL debut in round 13 2012 and as a ruck prospect, has spent time across both the VFL and AFL sides throughout his career.
JACK REDPATH
A late rookie selection in the 2011 draft, Redpath was selected with pick 62.
The key forward made his AFL debut in round 16 2014, and went on to play 12 games in 2015 after fighting his way into the side.
Simon Dalrymple (Western Bulldogs Recruiting Manager) on the 2011 draft
“We had a lot of selections and that can help. It was another compromised draft, it was the GWS draft so they had 14 of the first 20 selections so that was challenging again because we were out at pick 17. We’d just lost Cal Ward so we wanted to replace some of his strength around the ball, hence Clay was a good selection there.
“Some of the other guys like Fletch, he was a boy that we always liked the way he went about it, his footy brain and a very crafty-type player, he played ruck, forward and a little bit in defence but we also knew he would take a long time due to his lack of conditioning, and he’s not a natural athlete so that would need some time and he was basically a fast bowler for Melbourne Grammar who did a little bit of training before playing footy so he’s developing well.
“Jongy was someone we could see the upside with him. Raw in terms of his footy background but we think he’s going to be an exciting player for us. Jack Redpath’s another good story. He came down and trained and really impressed and at pick 60-odd in the rookie draft, to get a guy who’s really giving himself a good chance to have a good AFL career in a tough position, it’s a credit to Jack and hopefully we’ve got a really good player there. “
2011 recruits
National Draft
Pick 17: Clay Smith
Pick 32: Joel Hamling*
Pick 39: Michael Talia
Pick 49: Daniel Pearce
Pick 57: Tory Dickson
Pre-season draft
Pick 11: Fletcher Roberts
Rookie Draft
Pick 9: Lin Jong
Pick 13: Shane Biggs**
Pick 27: Tom Campbell
Pick 45: Alex Greenwood
Pick 62: Jack Redpath
Pick 76: Mark Austin
*Originally drafted by Geelong
**Originally drafted by Sydney
